Universal health care ensures that all citizens, regardless of ability to pay, have health insurance. It has been shown to have economic, as well as medical, benefits.
History
Because much of the industrialized world began providing universal health care to its citizens, the United States has fallen from first in life expectancy in 1945 to the mid-teens. The United States ranks 23rd in infant mortality and 67th in immunizations.
Consistency
All doctors would be in-network under universal health care. Unemployment or pre-existing conditions would not prevent medical treatments.
Significance
Public health would improve as everyone could receive treatment, reducing the spread of communicable diseases. Waiting times in emergency rooms would decrease, as hospitals would not be treating the uninsured for common maladies.
Wages
Annual pay raises could be increased if funds were not diverted to cover increasing health insurance premiums. Workers would use fewer sick days and could work later in life.
Competition
Companies would not need to add health insurance costs to the price of goods sold, making them competitive with companies in countries with universal health care.
Administration
Voters would have a say in administrative costs, benefits and taxes, possibly reducing overhead.
Tags: health care, health insurance, universal health care, United States, universal health
